I'd appreciate any feedback on the system build below. I'm stuck on a couple of the components and having difficulty choosing. If possible, please identify if you have actual experience with the components.
Approximate Purchase Date: 1-2 weeks
Budget Range: ~$1000 Before Rebates. I don’t have a super strict budget, but I do want the most bang for my buck and do not want to overspend. I don’t need to have the fastest and the best, just what is sufficient for my needs. I don’t play the most graphics intensive games.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (LOTRO, Flight Sim X, Strategy, really don’t play the first person shooters)
Parts Not Required: Monitor, Mouse, Keyboard, Speakers, maybe DVD burner
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Any larger name reputable dealer (Newegg, Tiger Direct, Amazon, etc.)
Country of Origin: US
Parts Preferences: None really. Prefer “name brands”.
Overclocking: Probably will try it, novice at it though, CPU only though, probably not GPU. Not interested in messing around with extreme OC’ing.
SLI or Crossfire: Down the road, yes.
Monitor Resolution: single, 1920x1200, but may be interested in 3 monitor setup down the road
Additional Comments: Interested in decent quality, reliable components. Willing to pay a few $’s more for quality and reliability. Upgrading from a 4 year old build.
Processor
Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz
Video Card
I wanted to keep the card under $200, so picked the 6870, and plan on crossfire down the road. I’m struggling a bit picking the correct card. I’ve narrowed my list to those below based mostly on Newegg reviews. Good cooling is important for me since my current card overheats during gaming and is driving my new build. Interested in Crossfire down the road as well, when prices come down a bit.
SAPPHIRE FleX 100314FLEX Radeon HD 6870 1GB
Seems to have decent reviews
MSI R6870 Twin Frozr II Radeon HD 6870 1GB
Factory overclocked? Do I want that? It seems that if the card was designed to run at faster clock, it would be that way? Is there a danger of overheating problems? Also concerning is reviews with driver issues and that say I need to setup my own cooling fan profile, and that proper cooling is dependant that I do it correctly. Shouldn’t the mfg do that?
XFX HD-687X-CNFC Radeon HD 6870 2GB
Generally good reviews, but do I need 2 GB, or should I get the cheaper 1 GB below? Only thing I read is that 2 GB could help with multi-monitor setups, which is something I may want to try later.
MSI R6870 Hawk Radeon HD 6870 1GB
Generally good reviews, clock speed at 930.
XFX HD-687A-ZHFC Radeon HD 6870 1GB
Cheaper 1 GB version of above XFX
PSU
The 650 is a little cheaper than the 750. I ran some numbers and 650 is probably the min I would go.
Antec EarthWatts Series EA-750 Green 750W
Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W
Ram
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL
Case
I currently have a NZXT window-sided case with a side fan and I like it. The Storm Enforcer was similar and had decent reviews. However, I am concerned that it does not have a side fan option for the window and am worried about cooling over the GPUS. Do you think I need the side fan for proper cooling? Also want the case to have decent cable management because this has been something I’ve struggled with. Never had a case that had any special management (other than my ingenuity and cable ties), and a modular PSU is getting a bit out of my budget.
COOLER MASTER Storm Enforcer SGC-1000-KWN1
If a side fan is needed, I like the 2 cases below. The IN WIN looks like a nice case, but a bit pricey. The Rosewill is a similar looking case, but much cheaper. For Rosewill, however, concerned about cable management, flimsiness, and value of the stock fans. If I have to spend $25 to upgrade the stock fans, I might just spend a little more.
IN WIN BUC Black SECC Steel ATX
Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower
Mobo
Price is right for the Gigabyte. MIS would be the pricier option if the Gigabyte isn’t a good board.
GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3
MSI Z68A-GD65 (G3) LGA 1155 Intel Z68
Cooler
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1
OS
I think OEM will be fine since I don’t swap in-out a lot of components. Once in a while, I have to reload windows. And might implement SSD down the road.
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
HDD
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB
SSD
I’m going to pass right now until SSD’s come down in price a bit. HDD prices are rising and it’s eating into my budget. I was thinking about putting into a 60 GB SSD. Additionally, I read that SSD’s don’t provide much improvement for LOTRO gameplay. When prices come down I can revisit.
Approximate Purchase Date: 1-2 weeks
Budget Range: ~$1000 Before Rebates. I don’t have a super strict budget, but I do want the most bang for my buck and do not want to overspend. I don’t need to have the fastest and the best, just what is sufficient for my needs. I don’t play the most graphics intensive games.
System Usage from Most to Least Important: Gaming (LOTRO, Flight Sim X, Strategy, really don’t play the first person shooters)
Parts Not Required: Monitor, Mouse, Keyboard, Speakers, maybe DVD burner
Preferred Website(s) for Parts: Any larger name reputable dealer (Newegg, Tiger Direct, Amazon, etc.)
Country of Origin: US
Parts Preferences: None really. Prefer “name brands”.
Overclocking: Probably will try it, novice at it though, CPU only though, probably not GPU. Not interested in messing around with extreme OC’ing.
SLI or Crossfire: Down the road, yes.
Monitor Resolution: single, 1920x1200, but may be interested in 3 monitor setup down the road
Additional Comments: Interested in decent quality, reliable components. Willing to pay a few $’s more for quality and reliability. Upgrading from a 4 year old build.
Processor
Core i5-2500K Sandy Bridge 3.3GHz
Video Card
I wanted to keep the card under $200, so picked the 6870, and plan on crossfire down the road. I’m struggling a bit picking the correct card. I’ve narrowed my list to those below based mostly on Newegg reviews. Good cooling is important for me since my current card overheats during gaming and is driving my new build. Interested in Crossfire down the road as well, when prices come down a bit.
SAPPHIRE FleX 100314FLEX Radeon HD 6870 1GB
Seems to have decent reviews
MSI R6870 Twin Frozr II Radeon HD 6870 1GB
Factory overclocked? Do I want that? It seems that if the card was designed to run at faster clock, it would be that way? Is there a danger of overheating problems? Also concerning is reviews with driver issues and that say I need to setup my own cooling fan profile, and that proper cooling is dependant that I do it correctly. Shouldn’t the mfg do that?
XFX HD-687X-CNFC Radeon HD 6870 2GB
Generally good reviews, but do I need 2 GB, or should I get the cheaper 1 GB below? Only thing I read is that 2 GB could help with multi-monitor setups, which is something I may want to try later.
MSI R6870 Hawk Radeon HD 6870 1GB
Generally good reviews, clock speed at 930.
XFX HD-687A-ZHFC Radeon HD 6870 1GB
Cheaper 1 GB version of above XFX
PSU
The 650 is a little cheaper than the 750. I ran some numbers and 650 is probably the min I would go.
Antec EarthWatts Series EA-750 Green 750W
Antec EarthWatts EA-650 GREEN 650W
Ram
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB F3-12800CL9D-8GBRL
Case
I currently have a NZXT window-sided case with a side fan and I like it. The Storm Enforcer was similar and had decent reviews. However, I am concerned that it does not have a side fan option for the window and am worried about cooling over the GPUS. Do you think I need the side fan for proper cooling? Also want the case to have decent cable management because this has been something I’ve struggled with. Never had a case that had any special management (other than my ingenuity and cable ties), and a modular PSU is getting a bit out of my budget.
COOLER MASTER Storm Enforcer SGC-1000-KWN1
If a side fan is needed, I like the 2 cases below. The IN WIN looks like a nice case, but a bit pricey. The Rosewill is a similar looking case, but much cheaper. For Rosewill, however, concerned about cable management, flimsiness, and value of the stock fans. If I have to spend $25 to upgrade the stock fans, I might just spend a little more.
IN WIN BUC Black SECC Steel ATX
Rosewill CHALLENGER Black Gaming ATX Mid Tower
Mobo
Price is right for the Gigabyte. MIS would be the pricier option if the Gigabyte isn’t a good board.
GIGABYTE GA-Z68A-D3H-B3
MSI Z68A-GD65 (G3) LGA 1155 Intel Z68
Cooler
COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1
OS
I think OEM will be fine since I don’t swap in-out a lot of components. Once in a while, I have to reload windows. And might implement SSD down the road.
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM
HDD
Western Digital Caviar Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB
SSD
I’m going to pass right now until SSD’s come down in price a bit. HDD prices are rising and it’s eating into my budget. I was thinking about putting into a 60 GB SSD. Additionally, I read that SSD’s don’t provide much improvement for LOTRO gameplay. When prices come down I can revisit.
. The buyers said it had sucky cable management.
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